Infant wedge sleep positioner

ABSTRACT

An infant wedge sleep positioner comprising a cushion, a covering means for the cushion, one supporting pillow that is fixedly secured to the covering means, and another opposed supporting pillow that is releaseably secured to the covering means for laterally moving this pillow in relation to the other pillow. This combination creates a cradle for positioning an infant within the device and accommodating a growing infant or different sized infants. In an alternate embodiment, the infant wedge sleep positioner further provides ventilating channels in one or both of the supporting pillows for regulating the temperature of the infant while the infant rests or sleeps, thereby, further reducing the risk of the infant becoming overheated.

I. RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application is a divisional of prior U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 11/655,580, filed Jan. 19, 2007, still pending.

II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to infant positioners and, more particularly, to a wedge sleep positioner device for positioning an infant on their back or side while sleeping, thereby, reducing the risk of sudden infant death. The device further provides unobstructed ventilation to the infant for reducing the risk of the infant becoming over heated.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Medical studies have shown that infants who sleep on their backs or sides have a reduced risk of dying suddenly from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as compared to infants who sleep on their stomachs.

Knowing this and in an effort to help reduce the risk to infants, Applicant has invented a number of devices as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,473,923; 5,341,531; D448,227; D446,675; D408,676; D385,143; D369,934; D369,054; and pending U.S. Patent Application, Publication Number 2006-0168733. Other devices have also been invented as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,176 entitled “Infant Support System”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,790 entitled “Selectively Arrangeable Cushion Assembly”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,008 entitled “Infant Reflux Restraint Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,150 entitled “Elevated Mattress.”

Although these and other similar devices are used to decrease the incidence of SIDS based on the sleeping position of infants, the art in this field continues to expand and grow with new inventive devices toward improving sleep positioning devices and the common goal of providing for the health and safety of infants. Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed Applicant's new infant wedge sleep positioner.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an infant wedge sleep positioner comprising a cushion, a covering means for the cushion, one supporting pillow that is fixedly secured to the covering means, and another opposed supporting pillow that is releaseably secured to the covering means for laterally moving this pillow in relation to the other pillow. This combination creates a cradle for positioning an infant within the device and accommodating a growing infant or different sized infants. In an alternate embodiment, the infant wedge sleep positioner further provides ventilating channels in one or both of the supporting pillows for regulating the temperature of the infant while the infant rests or sleeps, thereby, further reducing the risk of the infant becoming overheated.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understood with reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of Applicant's unique infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating a cutaway of the first and second sections of the cushion and the releasability of the first body pillow.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating the first body pillow and second body pillows in relation to the cushion.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating ventilating channels in the exterior of each of the first body pillow and second body pillow.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating ventilating channels in the exterior ends of each of the first body pillow and second body pillow.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the alternate embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating one means for connecting adjacent ventilation channels.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the alternate embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating a second means for connecting adjacent ventilation channels.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of another alternate embodiment of Applicant's infant wedge sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating the releasability of each of the first body pillow and second body pillow in relation to one another and the cushion.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an infant wedge sleep positioner 10. The infant wedge sleep positioner 10 comprises a cushion 16, a cover 17, a first body pillow 12, and a second body pillow 14.

The cushion 16 has a top surface 18, a back surface 19, sides 20 and 22, and a bottom surface 24. In the preferred embodiment, the cushion 16 is in the shape of a wedge having a width 26, a length 28, and an acute angle 30 formed by the separation from the top surface 18 to the bottom surface 24 beginning at a proximal end 32 of the cushion 16 and continuing to a distal end 34 of the cushion 16.

In the preferred embodiment, the cushion 16 is separated into or created from a first section 36 and a second section 38. The first section 36 and the second section 38 are each shaped into substantially identical wedge shapes with the first section 36 forming the top half of the cushion 16 and the second section 38 forming the bottom half of the cushion 16. In this manner, the first section 36 is positioned above and vertically aligned with the second section 38 such that the cushion 16 provides a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape.

Alternatively, the first section 36 and the second section 38 may be larger or smaller than one another and/or formed into the same or different various types of shapes for creating the cushion 16. In one non-limiting alternative, the first section 36 may form the entire top surface 18, part of the back surface 19, and part of the sides 20 and 22 of the cushion 16. The second section 38 may then form the entire bottom surface 24 of the cushion 16, the remaining part of the back surface 19 not forming part of the first section 36 that is either larger or smaller than the first section 36, and the remaining part of the sides 20 and 22 not forming part of the first section 36 that is either larger or smaller than the first section 36.

In another non-limiting example, additional sections of any varying sizes, shapes, or materials may be used in combination with any varying sizes, shapes, or materials of the first section 36 and second section 38 for creating the cushion 16. Many other non-limiting alternatives may further be used to accomplish the intended invention as known by one skilled in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the first section 36 and the second section 38 are each independent, unsecured sections that engage one another in a vertical orientation to form the unified cushion 16. Alternatively, the first section 36 may be secured to the second section 38 using hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, adhesive, bonding, molding, or any other means known to one skilled in the art.

The first section 36 is preferably made of a material that provides a memory foam for providing comfort to the infant including but not limited to polyurethane foam, visco-elastic foam, or any other type of foam providing this memory quality that is known to one skilled in the art. The second section 38 is preferably made of a material that provides a firm elasticity type foam for providing support for the cushion 16 including but not limited to polyurethane or any other type of foam providing this firm supporting quality that is known to one skilled in the art. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first section 36 and the second section 38 may be made of the same or substantially the same material.

The cushion 16 is contained within a cover 17. The cover 17 is preferably made of a flannel or terry cloth type material. Alternatively, any other type of material known to one skilled in the art may be used to cover the cushion 16 provided that the material can be used in the manner described herein and does not interfere with the use of the infant wedge sleep positioner 10 for the infant 42 or cause the infant 42 to have an adverse reaction due to allergies or other ailments.

The cover 17 is provided with an opening means (not illustrated) to permit the cushion 16 to be inserted into and/or removed from the cover 17. In the preferred embodiment, the opening means is situated at the distal end 34 of the cushion 16. The opening means is preferably accomplished using an overlap of material in the cover 17 having hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® that can be separated to create an opening to receive the cushion 16 and releaseably secured to retain the cushion 16 within the cover 17. Alternatively, any other means such as a zipper, buttons, snaps, any type of seal, or any other means known to one skilled in the art may be used as the opening means provided that it accomplishes the intended purposes as described herein. In this manner, upon removal of the cushion 16, the cover 17 may be washed and cleaned for further use with the infant 42. The cushion 16 may likewise be repaired or replaced, if necessary.

In the preferred embodiment, the first body pillow 12 is positioned adjacent to side 20 of the cushion 16 and the second body pillow 14 is positioned adjacent to the side 22 of the cushion 16. In this manner, the combination of the first body pillow 12, the second body pillow 14, and the cushion 16 coact to create a cradle 40 between them to receive an infant 42. The infant 42 is illustrated in phantom and does not form a part of the invention.

The first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are positioned directly opposite from one another and aligned in a parallel relationship relative to the length 28 of the cushion 16. In the preferred embodiment, the first body pillow 12 is releasably affixed to the cover 17 adjacent to the top surface 18 of the cushion 16 and the second body pillow 14 is permanently affixed to the cover 17 adjacent to the top surface 18 of the cushion 16 such that the first body pillow 12 may move laterally with respect to the second body pillow 14.

In order to move laterally with respect to the second body pillow 14, the first body pillow 12 is affixed to the cushion 16 using a fastening means 54 permanently secured to the bottom side 48 of the first body pillow 12 and to the cover 17 adjacent to the top surface 18 of the cushion 16. The fastening means 54 is preferably an elongated hook and loop fastener strip such as Velcro®. With respect to the cover 17, the fastening means 54 extends laterally, at one end, from a position adjacent the proximal end 32 of the cushion 16 and the side 20 toward the second body pillow 14 with the opposite end of the fastening means 54 ending at a position covering less than half of the width 26 of the cushion 16. Alternatively, the fastening means 54 between the cover 17 and the first body pillow 12 may be any type of male/female snaps, hole and button combination, opposed releasable bonding strips, or any other means known to one skilled in the art.

In this manner, the first body pillow 12 may be affixed to the fastening means 54 on the cover 17 and moved laterally anywhere along the fastening means 54 (i.e., toward or away from the second body pillow 14). If the infant is very small, the first body pillow 12 may be moved closer to the second body pillow 14 to accommodate the infant. The first body pillow 12, however, may only be moved as close to the second body pillow 14 as permitted by the fastening means 54. As the infant grows or if the infant is larger, the first body pillow 12 may be moved farther away from the second body pillow 14 to accommodate the increased size of the infant. The first body pillow 12, however, should only be moved as far away from the second body pillow 14 as permitted by the fastening means 54 which is the convex portion of the first body pillow 12 becoming flush against the proximal end 32 and side 20 of the cushion 16. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first body pillow 12 (i.e., the convex portion) may extend a small distance over the side 20 of the cushion 16 provided that there remains sufficient portion of the bottom side 48 of the first body pillow 12 to affix to the cushion 16 and remain effective for positioning and retaining the infant 42 on their back or side while sleeping.

The first body pillow 12 and second body pillow 14 are shaped to receive and position the infant 42 on its back while sleeping. In this embodiment, the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are preferably triangular in cross section having an interior side 44, an exterior side 46, and a bottom side 48 (FIG. 2). Alternatively, the first body pillow 12 and/or the second body pillow 14 may be shaped as a rectangle, square, circle, oval, ovid, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, octagon, etc. . . .

In the preferred embodiment, the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are curved such that the interior sides 44 of the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 each create a pillow having a concave shape facing towards the infant 42. As shown in FIG. 3, the interior sides 44 of the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are separated by a distance 50 at both of their ends and by a distance 52 at the midpoint between their ends. In this manner, the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are a mirror image of one another. The cradle 40 that is formed between these shaped pillows has been found useful for positioning the infant 42 on its back.

Alternatively, instead of being curved, the first body pillow 12, the second body pillow 14, or both may have straight sides or any other combination of shapes or contours for creating the cradle 40 for the infant 42 provided that the resulting combination is acceptable for holding the infant 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 can be shaped for positioning the infant 42 on its side. By releasing the first body pillow 12, rotating the first body pillow 12 through one hundred and eighty degrees (180°), and reaffixing the first body pillow 12, the first body pillow 12 would now be shaped and have a contour that is opposite to the second body pillow 14 for positioning the infant 42 on its other side. The result is that the interior side 44 of the second body pillow 14 continues to have a concave shape facing towards the infant 42, as in the original embodiment, with the interior side 44 of the first body pillow 12 being changed from the original embodiment to create a convex shape facing towards the infant 42. The cradle 40 that is formed between this combination of shaped pillows has been found useful for positioning the infant 42 on its side.

In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the second body pillow 14 may be releasably affixed to the cover 17 adjacent to the top surface 18 of the cushion 16 using a fastening means 54 as well. This fastening means is preferably a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro® that is releasably affixed to the cover 17 and the bottom side 48 of the second body pillow 14. Alternatively, the fastening means 54 between the cover 17 and the second body pillow 14 may be any type of male/female snaps, hole and button combination, opposed releasable bonding strips, or any other means known to one skilled in the art.

In this manner, if the first body pillow 12 remains unchanged from its original embodiment, by releasing the second body pillow 14, rotating the second body pillow 14 through one hundred and eighty degrees (180°), and reaffixing the second body pillow 14, the second body pillow 14 would be shaped and have a contour that is opposite to the first body pillow 12 for positioning the infant 42 on its side. The result is that the interior side 44 of the first body pillow 12 continues to have a concave shape facing towards the infant 42, as in the original embodiment, with the interior side 44 of the second body pillow 14 being changed from the original embodiment to create a convex shape facing towards the infant 42. The cradle 40 that is formed between this combination of shaped pillows has been found useful for positioning the infant 42 on its side.

As both the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are releasably affixed in this embodiment, if the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are released from their original embodiments (see FIG. 1), each rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees (180°), and reaffixed, the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 would be shaped and have a contour that remains the same with respect to one another for positioning the infant 42 on its other side. The result is that the interior side 44 of the first body pillow 12 is changed from the original embodiment to create a convex shape facing towards the infant 42 and the interior side 44 of the second body pillow 14 is changed from the original embodiment to create a convex shape facing towards the infant 42. The cradle 40 that is formed between this combination of shaped pillows has been found useful for positioning the infant 42 on its other side.

In another alternate embodiment, any one or all of the first body pillow 12, second body pillow 14, or cushion 16 may be imbedded with a heartbeat component.

In yet another alternate embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are provided with ventilating channels 56. The ventilating channels 56 extend from the interior side 44 to the exterior side 46 of each pillow. In the preferred embodiment, the air surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner 10 has direct access, through each of the ventilating channels 56, to the infant 42 being held within the infant wedge sleep positioner 10. Likewise, the air surrounding the infant 42 within the cradle 40 and the temperature or heat emanating from the infant 42 which is trapped between the infant 42 and the cushion 16 and the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 has direct access, through each of the ventilating channels 56, to the outside air surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner 10. As a result and discussed in more detail below, the ventilating channels 56 enable the transfer of air to and from the infant 42 for regulating the temperature of the infant 42.

The ventilating channels 56 are positioned along the length of the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14. As depicted in a non-limiting example, the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 are each provided with three ventilating channels 56. One is placed adjacent the upper region of the infant 42; one is placed adjacent the middle region of the infant 42; and one is placed adjacent the lower region of the infant 42. This combination of ventilating channels 56 in the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 provides air access and temperature transfer to and from each of these regions and on both sides of the infant 42.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first body pillow 12 and/or the second body pillow 14 may be provided with more or less ventilating channels 56 provided that the ventilating channels 56 used are sufficient to achieve the necessary ventilation for regulating the temperature of the infant 42 and reducing the risk of the infant becoming over heated. Additionally, it is further contemplated that the location of the ventilating channels 56 and the number of ventilating channels 56 within the first body pillow 12 may be different than both the location and number of ventilating channels 56 within the second body pillow 14. These variations depend, in part, upon the vitals of the infant 42. For example, if an infant 42 is medically overweight, the infant's body may tend to generate more heat which, if not adequately ventilated through the ventilating channels 56, could increase the temperature of the infant 42 to unacceptable levels.

The ventilating channels 56, as illustrated in FIG. 6, preferably extend in a straight line through each pillow from the interior side 44 to the exterior side 46. The straight line of the ventilating channels 56 remain parallel to the cushion 16 and provide a constant diameter. Alternatively, the ventilating channels 56 may extend through the pillows in any curved, bent, or other form and at any varying angles or diameter in relation to the cushion 16 or infant 42; provided that, the ventilating channels 56 accommodate the necessary ventilation to and from the infant 42 and the outside air surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner 10.

In a non-limiting example, the ventilating channels 56 are circular in shape and maintain a constant diameter. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the ventilating channels 56 may be any shape including but not limited to a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, etc. . . . provided that the ventilating channels 56 are of sufficient size, either individually or in combination, to accommodate the necessary ventilation to and from the infant 42 and the outside air surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner 10.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a ventilating channel 58 may be provided in either or both of the first body pillow 12 and the second body pillow 14 at their ends and/or other sides. It is contemplated that the ventilating channel 58 may be the only ventilating channel in the infant wedge sleep positioner 10 or used in combination with any number of or various forms of the ventilating channels 56 as disclosed herein.

In this embodiment, the ventilating channel 58 extends from the interior side 44 to the exterior side 46 of the ends or sides of each pillow. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the ventilating channel 58 may be connected directly to an adjacent ventilating channel 56 and share a portion of the same channel extending from the interior side 44 of the infant wedge sleep positioner 10. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the ventilating channel 58 may be connected directly to the interior side 44 of the infant wedge sleep positioner 10 and sharing only the interior side 44 of the infant wedge sleep positioner 10 with an adjacent ventilating channel 56. It is further contemplated that the ventilating channel 58 may be completely separate or independent from an adjacent ventilating channel 56.

It is further contemplated that the ventilating channel 58 may be any shape including but not limited to a circle, oval, ovid, square, triangle, rectangle, hexagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, etc. . . . provided that the ventilating channel 58 is of sufficient size, either individually or in combination with the ventilating channels 56 or other ventilating channels 58, to accommodate the necessary ventilation to and from the infant 42 and the outside air surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner 10.

The ventilating channels 56 and/or ventilating channels 58 may be covered by a mesh or screen covering or any other means known to one skilled in the art thereby preventing any foreign impurities, articles, or other matter, that may be injurious, harmful or otherwise, to reach the infant 42 or obstruct the flow of air to and from the infant 42.

In use, the ventilating channels 56 and/or ventilating channels 58 provide an unobstructed flow of air through the first body pillow 12, the second body pillow 14, or both to and from the infant 42. If the temperature of the infant 42 within the cradle 40 begins to increase to a level that becomes dangerous to the infant or greater than the temperature of the outside air surrounding the infant wedge sleep positioner 10, this excess heat or temperature will be forced to flow along path A (see FIG. 6) from the infant 42, through the ventilating channels 56 or 58, and exit out the infant wedge sleep positioner 10. As this excess heat or temperature is transferred from the infant 42 and the cradle 40, the temperature of the infant 42 will decrease back to normal or remain constant rather than increasing to an uncomfortable and/or unsafe temperature. Medical studies have indicated that the preferable room temperature should be sixteen to twenty degrees Celsius (16° C.-20° C.) or sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit (60° F.-70° F.). With this excess heat continually being transferred from the infant 42 and the cradle 40, the temperature of the infant 42 should remain constant or at an acceptable level in this temperature range. As a result, the infant wedge sleep positioner 10 utilizes the ventilating channels 56 and/or ventilating channels 58 for transferring the unnecessary heat in a direction away from the infant 42 thereby reducing the risk of overheating in infants and sudden infant death syndrome.

Thus, there has been provided a unique infant wedge sleep positioner for positioning an infant on their back or side while sleeping to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. Additionally, the infant wedge sleep positioner may be provided with unobstructed ventilation to the infant for reducing the risk of the infant becoming over heated further reducing the risk of sudden infant death. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it in intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A device for holding an infant, comprising: a cushion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface, and opposed side surfaces, the top surface and the bottom surface sharing an edge at one end of the cushion; means for covering the cushion; means for positioning the infant in a position relative to the cushion; and a ventilation channel formed in the means for positioning the infant, the ventilation channel enabling the transfer of air through the means for positioning the infant to and from the infant held by the device.
 26. The device of claim 25 wherein the cushion is separated into a first section and a second section, the first section situated on top of the second section, the first section forming the entire top surface and part of the back surface and opposed side surfaces, the second section forming the entire bottom surface and part of the back surface and opposed side surfaces.
 27. The device of claim 25 wherein the means for positioning the infant in a position relative to the cushion comprises two opposed pillows placed adjacent to one another, one opposed pillow fixedly secured to the means for covering the cushion, the other opposed pillow releasably secured to the means for covering the cushion for providing lateral movement of the pillow between the opposed side surfaces in relation to the other opposed pillow.
 28. The device of claim 27 wherein the means for releasably securing the other opposed pillow permits lateral movement of the pillow for less than one-half of the distance between the opposed side surfaces.
 29. The device of claim 27 wherein the ventilation channel is formed in one of the opposed pillows and extends through the pillow from the interior side to another side.
 30. A device for holding an infant, comprising: a cushion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface, and opposed side surfaces, the top surface and the bottom surface sharing an edge at one end of the cushion; means for covering the cushion; two opposed pillows placed adjacent to one another, means for fixedly securing the one opposed pillow to the means for covering the cushion; and means for releasably securing the other opposed pillow to the means for covering the cushion for providing lateral movement of the pillow between the opposed side surfaces in relation to the other opposed pillow, the lateral movement of the pillow covering less than one-half of the distance between the opposed side surfaces; and a ventilation channel in at least one of the opposed pillows for providing air flow through the opposed pillow to and from the infant held in the cradle. 